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The activities of the Scientific Forum organized by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union kicked off in Tripoli yesterday (6 to 9 March), under its 2023 slogan ‘‘Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’’.
The opening session of the forum was attended by the Tripoli-based Libyan Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, several ministers and Undersecretaries of his government, the Director of the National Board for Economic and Social Development (NESDB), Mahmoud Al-Futaisi, the head of the Union of Libyan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mohamed Al-Raied, and several representatives of the councils of the African Union and the Arab Maghreb.
Africa supports Libya’s stability
In his opening speech, Aldabaiba said the distinguished African presence and good participation of the representatives of the African Union and African countries is an affirmation of the relationship that binds Libya to its African depth. It also embodies the supportive position of the Union and the member states for Libya’s stability, security, and territorial integrity.
Elections: From tyranny to peaceful transfer of power
He added that the forum’s discussion of the issue of societal support for electoral tracks and institution building, is consistent with the call of his government to benefit from the experiences of successful countries, which were able to transform from the violence of tyranny to peace, and the peaceful transfer of power in many African and international countries.
Role of civil society in the stage of democratic transition
Aldabaiba said the forum will contribute to the exchange of experiences and knowledge about the role of civil society in the stage of democratic transition and enhance the experience of Libyan civil society. In addition, it will lay the foundations for economic cooperation between Libya and the countries of the continent that are rich in natural resources and enormous human power.
NESDB working on a single economic and social national vision
Commenting exclusively to Libya Herald on the organization of this forum, the Director General of the NESDB, Mahmoud Al-Futaisi, said Libya has many visions and that the NESDB is currently working in cooperation and coordination with a group of experts and specialists to unify and formulate a single national vision in the economic and social fields.
Libya serious about peaceful solutions and reform
Al-Futaisi praised the efforts made to make such forums a success, which give the world good indications of the state of security and stability in Libya and confirm Libyans’ serious endeavour to find peaceful solutions to reform the political, economic, and social conditions away from violence and the use of weapons, which has not and will not have a role except in ruin and destruction.
Several national strategies have been developed
He indicated that the NESDB has developed several national strategies in partnership with the relevant authorities internationally and stakeholders locally in several areas. These include education, health, energy, economy and urban planning, stressing that these strategies will have a positive impact on improving conditions inside the country, which projects a good image of Libya abroad – unlike the image that prevailed during the past years.
AfCFTA will have a prominent positive role
Finally, Al-Futaisi welcomed the African Union’s support for the establishment of AfCFTA, which will have a prominent role in revitalizing the economy of African countries, creating job opportunities for African workers and diversifying the sources of income for the countries of the continent.
